BARNEY ENDS SILENCE ON DRUG ARREST

Speaking at a prayer breakfast Saturday in Hamtramck, Mich., Barney said authorities have tried to "turn a matchstick into a dynamite stick."

"This so-called incident is a non-story," he said. "They're trying to make me look like some kind of Jeffrey Dahmer, or David Koresh, or John Gotti. . . . I'm just a man who is active in his community and church."

Barney's remarks were the first he has made in public since March 19, when state police arrested him after an auto accident in downtown Detroit. Troopers said they found marijuana "roaches" and cocaine while searching his car.

He has been charged with two counts of drug possession. No trial date has been set.

"I'm getting more publicity now than when I was voted into the Hall of Fame, and it's all negative," said Barney, who played for the Lions for 11 seasons.